Maybe it's just me, but it seems like fans from other teams, and Dallas fans aren't giving much respect to the current Mavs PG's. I'm not a Dallas fan, but I'm pretty impressed with Terry and Harris, and I feel they're a great gruop to have at the position. I know Nash held the Dallas offense together, but Jason Terry is a very good replacement for him. Many people underatte Terry's defensive abilities, but he was named by many as the best defensive PG in his draft, and now he actually has PG skills compared to when he first started out. A good measure of what he can do as a PG is seen in the 02-03 season, when the team was actually competing, and Terry had capable players with him, he averaged 7.4 assists, to only 3.07 turnovers, the best A/T ratio of his career, and pretty good compared to other PG's especially considering he's a slasher, and also scored 17 points, so his assists to bad pass ratio must have been pretty impressive. Terry is also a very capable outside shooter, and he's a very quick and athletic player, I think he'll help the team a lot, his passing abilities will shine more, and his defense will help the team at the PG position. Devin Harris is also a good addition, he's one of those players that had the would be a better defender if he had more defesive intensity, and from what I've heard he's been showing that in the games he's played. He's a very capable passer, a good shooter, is athletic, can get to the basket, and if he plays hard on defense, also a good defender. The Mavs have a great PG core, and I expect big things from that position this year, and defensively it's one of the best they've had in a while.
Jason Terry has been disappointing throughout his career, whilst Devin Harris is unproven. Other factors in them not getting talked up is the acquisition of the elusive centre in Dampier, along with the fact that Terry isn't going to be a primary offensive target this year.
I have no idea what makes you think Terry has had a dissapointing career, he has very good career averages and has always gone about his job quietly. One would think with what he has had to play with over the years he would of requested a trade but he got on with the job. Devin Harris is a future star no doubt, could be the best point guard in the NBA within 4/5 years. He is very talented.
his last 3 or 4 years he has averaged about 5 or 6 assists + about 17 or 18 points. That is pretty good I would say. I think he will hold up the team well.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">and Dallas fans aren't giving much respect to the current Mavs PG's.</div> Not this one. I know that Terry is good and I know he'll fit well. Disapointing career my ass. I'm glad someone posted this cuz if I did it just would've been looked as a homer.
Terry played for the Hawks. How many people have Terry played with that can score? Shareef Abdur Rahim and...no one! Terry was the only player other than SAR that could score. If Nash was on the hawks w/ SAR and no other scorers, he'd score way more than 17-18. I can't argue about JT's assist yet since he didn't have anyone good to play with. I've actually watched quite a few Hawks games myself, and it appears to me that JT tends to hog the ball. He puts up wild shots and his shot selection is questionable. Devin Harris will take time to develop. Don't expect another 'Quis or Josh Howard, because Don Nelson is very keen on letting Harris mature slowly. I don't see Dallas getting past the first round this year. Dampier has yet to prove to me he is good. Last year he was great, averaging a double-double with 12pts and 12reb. But last year WAS a contract year. The other years before he was a non-factor, except for 97-98 which was also a contract year. Dampier also does NOT fit into the Mavs offense which is run and gun. Dampier CANNOT run and certainly CANNOT run. If Dampier will only play for a contract, he will be a non-factor this year too. Unless he proves he can bring his A game on a regular basis, i'm not counting the mavs in on a championship run. If Dampier sucks, we'll hafta rely on Pavel Podkolzin, Shawn Bradley, and DJ Mbenga. 2 rookies and the worst 7'0" to ever set foot on a basketball court. If the two rooks suck, we're pretty much screwed. Dont expect Shawn Bradley to do anything. Alan Henderson and Calvin Booth are the alternatives. I do not want to see Henderson or Booth start. I'd rather risk having a rookie fill the big man spot. Right now, Dallas has a inconsistent and aging Finely. He can be on fire one game, and disappear totally the next. We'll hafta watch him. We also have a Jerry Stackhouse who is 1 injury away from being the next Penny Hardaway. Don't expect much from him even though he is playing the 6th man. Dallas is also relying on 2 sophmores to do a veteran's job. 'Quis starting @ SG, and Josh Howard coming off the bench. No doubt they both proved they were more than deserving on a spot on the roster, but when it comes to the end of the day, it IS only their 2nd year. Don't count the mavs in on any serious championship run for a while when they have a bunch of young developing players, and the Spurs and Timberwolves to deal with.
I don't know about championship, they aren't really on top of my list in that sense, but I just think people have underatted the PG's on the team. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Dampier has yet to prove to me he is good. Last year he was great, averaging a double-double with 12pts and 12reb. But last year WAS a contract year. The other years before he was a non-factor, except for 97-98 which was also a contract year. Dampier also does NOT fit into the Mavs offense which is run and gun. Dampier CANNOT run and certainly CANNOT run. If Dampier will only play for a contract, he will be a non-factor this year too. Unless he proves he can bring his A game on a regular basis, i'm not counting the mavs in on a championship run.</div> The Cliff Robinson effect, adds about 2-3 defensive rebounds to any big man playing next to him's stats.
Last night's game showed more of the potential that these two young point guards have. Devin Harris has impressed me the most. Last night he had 3 steals, 2 blocks, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 2-3 from 3pth range in 26 minutes. He's very active on both ends of the court. I know this is pre-season, but in six years with the Mavs, I don't think Steven Nash ever blocked a shot, and Harris is averaging about 3 blocks per 48 minutes. Meanwhile, Jason Terry quietly added 17 points, 6 assists and 2 steals. Total point guard output: 27 points, 6 rebounds, 13 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks! I'll always be a fan of Steve Nash and can't wait to watch as he elevates the Phoenix fanchise, but I have a new player to cheer for. Every time Devin Harris picks the pocket of an opponent's point guard and starts a fast break, I'll jump to my feet and cheer at the TV with the same passion that I have cheered when Steven Nash backed up and ripped a three pointer. I think Mavs fans, and NBA fans everywhere, will underrate these guards because they aren't making the same plays that Nash made, but basketball purists will understand that these guys are making just as many plays, but differently.
Here are some pics from the Knickerbockers game last night.... Dampier Dunks Again... Dampier lays it up. Throw it down DJ! Throw it down! Skip to my....J.E.T. DJ dunks.....again. Hood and Harris, "whoa!"
